Letter: Tax breaks have brought state thousands of jobs

The Free Press Editorial Board has been consistently critical of Gov. Rick Snyder's tax changes, asking recently, "Where are the jobs?" That question deserves an answer: The jobs are here, many of them at Michigan small businesses.

The Small Business Association of Michigan tallies more than 14,000 jobs filled at small firms last year. Some of these were vacant positions filled, but many were brand new jobs created, at least partly, in response to a much more favorable tax and regulatory climate in the state. The growth we are witnessing is across many industry sectors, from hospitality to IT to retail. Through mid-April, more than 4,000 more jobs have been added at small businesses in 2013.

You complain about "$1.7 billion more in the hands of businesses" and that, "Businesses, for whatever reason, aren't holding up their end of the bargain." I beg to differ. My company, Lake Michigan Mailers in Kalamazoo, announced the creation of two full-time positions and one part-time position in May 2011 - an action we took as a direct result of Snyder signing the legislation reforming Michigan's business tax structure. In January, we created four more full-time jobs.

I fear that your editorial's recommendation - "It's time to seriously rethink the governor's approach" - is code for restoring the small-business tax burden, right at the time when the benefits of business tax reform have just started to blossom. Thanks to business tax reform, the Tax Foundation has upgraded Michigan's Business Tax Structure from a rank of 49th in the nation in 2011 to seventh in 2012. Proper business tax policy makes a huge difference in the fight to return our state to prosperity.

Do we need more jobs? Absolutely! Do we need to accelerate job growth? Yes. But this will not happen unless we stay-the-course and let the positive effects of business tax reform continue to roll out across the entire Michigan economy.

David C. Rhoa

President, Lake Michigan Mailers

Chairman, Small Business Association of Michigan

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Letter: Tax breaks have brought state thousands of jobs

Thanks to business tax reform, the Tax Foundation has upgraded Michigan's Business Tax Structure from a rank of 49th in the nation in 2011 to seventh in 2012. Proper business tax policy makes a huge